Toothbrush holder



March 16, 1948..

E. J. HAGGLUND 2,437,781

TooTHBRUsH HOLDER Filed March 17, 1945 s MW Patented Mar. 16, 1948 UNIED STATES PATENT GFFICE TOOTHBRUSH HOLDER Eold J. Hagglund, Erie, Pa.

Application March 17, 1945, Serial No. 583,355

This invention relates to sanitary containers, and more particularlyy to containers designed to receive tooth brushes.

It is a purpose Iand one of` the objects of the invention to provide a closed container in which several tooth brushes may be placed and removed at will. The invention is also directed to the pro- Vision of a container of such structure that brushes are protected against dirt, dust, and moisture and, if placed therein in a wet condition, will dry out as readily as they would outside of the container'.

It is also an object of the invention to provide a container that not only accommodates several tooth brushes, but requires that these brushes be sufciently separated, one from another, to satisfy sanitary requirements.

Additionally, it is an object` of f the invention to provide a container that is constructed of relatively few simple and easily assembled parts, the simplicity and ease of assembly of the parts greatly facilitating disassembly from time to time for cleaning purposes. And it is also an object of the invention to provide an attractive container for,

tooth brushes that is easily mounted in a convenient position of use and will contain, in addition to the tooth brushes, a tube or jar of cleansing substance.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be more fully understood from a consideration of the following specification, taken in conjunction With the accompanying drawing; and in which Fig. 1 is a front elevational view of a tooth brush container embodying one form of the invention, parts being broken away to more clearly disclose certain of the structural details;

Fig. 2 is an end elevational view of the structure shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a top plan View of the structure shown in Fig. l, parts being broken away to disclose the tooth brush mounting structure;

Fig. 4 is a vertical sectional view. taken substantially on the line 4--4 of Fig. 3 and shows the bottom closure of the container in opened position and a tooth brush being mounted in the container; Y

Fig. 5 is an enlarged detailed vertical sectional view taken substantially as indicated by the line 5 5 of Fig. 3 and shows the mounting and spring position of a shutter located in the container;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view taken substantially on the line 6--6 of Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 ls a fragmentary vertical sectional view taken on the line 'I-'I of Fig. 5,'

5 Claims. (Cl. 20G-15.1)

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary vertical sectional View cf the closure hinge structure; and

Fig. 9 is similar to Fig. 8 and shows the method of mounting the hinge closure on the container.

Referring more particularly to the drawing, the reference numeral'l is employed to generally designate a closed container for tooth brushes in which is embodied one form of the invention. The container includes a body portion Il, top I2, and bottom closure I3. The body portion Il is shown to be rectangular and consists of front and rear walls I and I5, and end walls IB and I'I. yThese walls may meet in a sharp angle or, for purposes of appearance, may be rounded, substantially as suggested in the drawing. Adjacent the upper edges of the walls of the body portion is a horizontally disposed ledge or shelf I E. This ledge extends entirely around the walls of the container and forms an interior, central, rectangular opening I8. A suitable number of openended slots 2l are formed in opposite edges of the ledge; namely, the portions extending from the front and rear walls I4 and I5. The slots 2l, as will be hereinafter more fully set forth, cooperate with other structuralV parts in the mounting of tooth brushes in the container.

Mounted in the opening I9 is a shutter 22. Thi shutter is proportioned to substantially ll the opening without contacting any of the edges of the ledge I8. Referring particularly to Figs. 3 and 5, it will be noted that a stub shaft 23 of the shutter projects into a semicircular boss 24 formed in that portion of the ledge I8 adjacent end Wall i5. The boss provides a downwardly opening recess in which to locate this shaft, and integral or attached flanges 2li may form a continuation of the downwardly opening recess to provide space in which to mount a locking member 27. This member may be of spring metal and contoured as shown in Fig. 6, and is compressible to snap into engagement with the anges 26 for the purpose of bringing the portion 28 thereof into contact with the undersurace of the shaft 23. A bearing of this nature for the shaft is well adapted to use in materials that might have a tendency to become distorted as a result of being used in the presence of heat and moisture, as is commonly found in a lavatory or bathroom.

rIhe other end of the shutter 22 mounts a disk 23, from the center of which projects a bearing shaft 3l. That portion of the ledge IB. adjacent the end wall Il, includes a circular element t2, having a rim 33 of a diameter corresponding to the diameter of the disk 29. The shaft 3i, when the shutter is mounted for use, projects through and beyond the recess 34 of the element 32 into a bearing recess 36. A loosely coiled spring?! is mounted in the recess 34, one end of the spring being permanently attached to the shaft 3| and the other end permanently engaged with the rim 33. The spring 31 is so designed that when mounted in the manner described, the shutter 22 will be yieldingly held in the plane of the ledge I8, thus closing the opening I9. However, this spring 3T, or its equivalent, permits oscillation of the shutter about its pivot shafts 23 and 3| to an extent to permit entry of the bristle end of a tooth brush through the opening I9. Y

The top I2, of course, is of substantially the same contour as the body portion I I and includes front and side walls that are, in considering the container as a whole, substantial continuations oi the body portion walls I4, I5, I6, and I'I. A top wall 38 serves to enclose the shutter structure and tooth brushes when the top I2 is engaged with the body portion I I. For convenience, it is found desirable toform at least a, part of the wallsr of the top of transparent material in orderthatv the various owners of tooth brushes may observe and be enabled to remove their own toothbrushes. In the rear wall of the topnamely, that corresponding to the rear wall I5 of the body portion-a number of apertures 39 are provided. Any suitable means may be utilized by which to locate and retain the top I2 on the body portion, such, for example, as through the provisionvof an interior rim 4I which may form the outer edge of the ledge I8.

The bottom closure I3 is hinged along one edgefto the lower edge of the rear wall I5. Since it -is desirable that the parts of a container of this nature be readily separable to facilitate maintenance in a cleanly and sanitary condition, theclosure I3 is made removable. The hinge structure shown includes a pair of circular lugs 42, carried by the rear edge of the closure, and from which'pivot pins 43 project in opposite directions.4 On the outer face of the wall I5, suitable lugs 44 are provided, in each of which is an upwardly opening slot 46 of a size adapted to receive pin 43. The closure I3 may be assembled with the body portion II in the manner illustrated in Figs. 9 and 8. For purposes of providing proper` fit of the closure I3 with the body portion, said closure may include an annular rim 41 which, with the closure in the position shown in Fig. 8, lies within the bodyportion of the container. The inner face of the closure may also be fitted with a shelf 48 on which to locate a tube or small jar of cleansing material, indicated at 49. A small guard plate 59 may also be provided by which to prevent displacement of the tube 49 when the closure I3 is moved into engagement with the body portion I I. Although no specific fastener is shown, it will be understood that a suitable latch is provided by which to secure the closure I3 in closed position.

To more clearly understand the advantages of the invention as heretofore set out, a description of its use is provided. It can be assumed that the container I is removably attached to a vertical wall by any well known means, such, for example, as the structure suggested in Fig. 3 of the drawing. Herein a keystone shaped member I, extending rearwardly of the container, is adapted to project into a wall attached bracket 52, edges of the bracket and member intertting in the well known manner illustrated. The top I2 has, of course, been placed on the body portion II to provide an enclosed space above the 4 shutter 22. 'Ihe closure I3 is swung into its open position (see Fig. 4) and the tooth-paste tube or like container, may be mounted on the shelf 48. A tooth brush may be projected upwardly into the body portion II through the opening provided by the opened position of the closure I3. The bristle end of the tooth brush contacts the shutter 22, rotating it substantially as suggested in Fig. 4, enabling movement of the bristle end into the space'above the shutter. The narrow portion of the brush, below the bristles, may now move into one of the slots 2|, with the bristles turned forwardly of the container. The spring 31 .will .cause the shutter to move back into the plane of the ledge I8. It will be understood that the Ashutter does not serve to support the tooth brush but merely holds it in position within its s1ot'2I: Thus; additional tooth brushes may be placed Ain the container and supported in otherof the slots 2 I, each brush, when inserted, causing the shuttertorotateas,already described. When it is desired to -remove one .of the brushes, the brush is moved laterally into contact with the edge of the shutterand thence upwardly, thus causing the shutter to rotate to nearly a vertical position and allowing removal of the brush. Suitable apertures 53 are provided adjacent the lower edge of the rear wall I5 and these openings, together with the openings 39 on the top, make possible circulation of air in the container. As already pointed out, the shutter 22 does not have a tight t in the opening I9 and, thus, air may enter either the. top or bottom openings and circulate throughy the container.

Although applicant has shown and described only one modication of his invention, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the more speciiie structural details shown may be modied as required and that such modifications are contemplated as being within the spirit and scope of the invention as set out in the annexed claims.

Having thus set forth my invention, what I claim as new and for which I desire protection by Letters Patent is:

1. A tooth brush holder comprising a container having a closed top and an open bottom, a continuous ledge extending inwardly of the walls of said container, said ledge serving to divide the interior of said container into two compartments and providing a restricted opening therebetween, at least a portion of said ledge having slots joining said opening, a shutter mounted within the limits of said opening, and pivotal means operable to yieldingly maintain said shutter in a position to close said opening.

2. A tooth brush holder comprising a container having a closed top and an open bottom, a continuous ledge extending inwardly of the walls of said container at a point intermediate said top and bottom, said ledge serving to divide said container into upper and lower compartments and providing a restricted opening therebetween, a shutter pivotally mounted to operate within the limits of said opening and adapted, when in the plane of said ledge, to close said opening, and means operable to yieldingly maintain said shutter in the plane of said ledge whereby to normally close oi the upper compartment.

3. A tooth brush holder comprising a container having a closed top and an open bottom, a continuous ledge extending inwardly Vof the walls of said container at a point intermediate said top and bottom, said ledge serving to divide said container into upper and lower compartments and providing a restricted opening therebetween, at least a portion of said ledge having slots joining said opening, said slots being of a size to receive the handle portion of a brush, a shutter in said opening in the plane of said ledge, said shutter serving to close said slots, and means mounting said shutter for pivotal movement out of the plane of said ledge whereby to facilitate mounting and removal of a brush in any one of said slots.

4. A tooth brush holder comprising a container formed by separable upper and lower parts, the upper part constituting a closure for the top opening of the lower part, a brush supporting ledge extending inwardly of the upright walls of said lower part and providing a restricted connecting opening between the interiors of said upper and lower parts, a shutter in said opening, means mounting said shutter for oscillation into and out of the plane of said ledge, and a bottom closure for the lower part of said container, said closure being pivotally movable into an open position to give access to the interior of said container and the mounting and removal of a brush.

5. A tooth brush holder comprising a container formed by separable upper and lower parts, the upper part constituting a closure for the top opening of the lower part, a continuous ledge extending inwardly of the walls of said container, said ledge serving to divide the interior of said container into two compartments and providing 6 a. restricted opening therebetween, said ledge having slots on opposite sides of and joining said restricted opening, a shutter pivotally mounted in said opening in a manner to be oscillatable into 5 and out of the plane of said ledge whereby to open or close the open ends of said slots, and a closure for the bottom opening of the lower part of said container, said closure being pivotally swingable into a position to give access to the in- 10 terior of the lower` part of said container and the mounting and removal of a brush with respect to said ledge and shutter.

EOLD J. HAGGLUND.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,049,654 Bloom Ja'n. 7, 1913 1,262,520 Keller Apr. 9, 1918 1,471,712 Sohnle Oct. 23, 1923 1,544,694 Speidel July 7, 1925 1,554,257 Buckley Sept. 22, v1925 1,629,213 Hughes May 17, 1927 1,633,834 Vaitulis June 28, 1927 2,121,488 Nofz June 2l, 1938 2,129,150 Pekrol Sept. 6, 1938 2,304,227 Zafarana. Dec. 8, 1942 

